Customer Reviews

War Baby! The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine, Vol. 1

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Destined for cult status among firearms collectors War Baby is an incredibly in-depth look at the development and production of the m1 carbine. I have read several m1 carbine books and this one is by far the most rich with facts and photos. Simply a must have for the carbine collector!

I just finished re-reading War Baby and I can attest that Larry Ruth did a bang up job on presenting a great amount of data. While the specifics on parts identification is there for collectors, and many diagrams of differences between manufacturers is helpful to the committed carbine nut, the greatest strength of this work is the painstaking research done to give a solid appreciation of what our country was like during WWII and to identify and honor the industrialists who overcame almost unbelieveable odds to get this rifle into the hands of troops. Each manufacturer has a section with tidbits and trivia about their successes and failures. The heroics of the employees of these various companies is highlighted and credit is given to shop foremen, designers, ordnance officials, and the average worker who made the whole system work. This is a fascinating historical work even if you're not interested in the carbine. It's expensive but you'll not be sorry.

As I have come to expect from Collector Series publications, this one is amazing in it's detail and thoroughness. There is virtually no area of the development of the M1 Carbine that is not covered, from the engineering to the manufacture to the actual use of the weapon. The book is full of rarely seen photos, letters, and drawings, and each manufacturer is FULLY covered along with all known vendors of parts. If you collect or just enjoy these weapons, this book is a Must-Have!!

War Baby! is the primary reference book for everything history about the U.S. .30 caliber carbines. The technical reference material is unmatched, anywhere.

The history of how this piece of American history came to be, the prototypes, their testing, the contracts, the stories of each of the manufacturers, U.S. Army Ordnance, WWII developments that iniated changes, records of quantities manufactured, serial number assignments, and on and on.

You don't have to collect carbines to find this book interesting. The history is written so it is thoroughly enjoyable. Might have something to do with Larry having been a school teacher for his career.

The development and production of the M1 Carbine in depth with info concerning each of the manufacturers during WWII. Volume Two, War Baby Comes Home is currently out of print and hard to find even in used condition so it will be difficult to make the set at this time. This volume was well illustrated also.

For a new person looking into the History of the M1 Carbine this book covers it all.It gives you detailed depth of all the manufactures and sub companies. If you are looking into getting a M1 Carbine this book is a must have for your Library!

"War Baby" is a must have for the M1 Carbine collector, history buff or someone who owns just one M1 Carbine and wants to learn more about the little rifles. If you are restoring a military carbine "War Baby" likely contains everything you need to know in one source.

The book is part reference manual, part service manual and part history book and does and excellent job in all three.

This is the best and most definative reference work on the m1 carbine bar none. Everyone with an interest in the m1 carbine should have this book.

WAR BABY!...Vol. 1 has been on my son's wish list for several years. Finally receiving it as a birthday gift delighted him, and those of us who gave it to him. The Volume exceeded his expectations and arrived in excellent condition, within the delivery time promised.

Very very detailed, however only 3 stars due to price...kind of pricy and to high level detail for the average collector